Development of spermatic granuloma in albino rats following administration of water extract of Heliotropium bacciferum Forssk

Abstract

A spermatic granuloma is a chronic inflammatory reaction produced in response to extravasated sperm within the intertubular connective tissue. The present study investigates the possible toxic effects of water extract of Heliotropium bacciferum on the reproductive system of male albino rats and the associated potential for the development of spermatic granulomas. H. bacciferum is a herbal plant used in traditional medicine and reported to have cytotoxic effects due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Histological examinations revealed no changes in the tissues of the testes, although, some changes were detected in the cauda epididymis, the most important of which was the development of small lesions of spermatic granulomas. Clear gaps were observed between the epithelial linings of the epididymal tubules.

Keywords: Heliotropium bacciferum; Spermatic granuloma; Toxicity.

Figure 1

Histogram showing the effect of different doses of water extract of Heliotropium bacciferum on the relative weight of reproductive organs of male albino rat.

Figure 2

Photomicrograph of a section of cauda epididymis of a rat from group 1, showing atrophied epididymal tubules. Some tubules (black stars) are empty and lacking sperm (H&E, 100×).

Figure 3

Photomicrograph of a section of cauda epididymis of a rat of group 2, showing a ruptured epithelial lining. Spermatic granulomas start to develop around extravasated sperm (arrow) within the intertubular connective tissue (H&E, 100×).

Figure 4

Photomicrograph of a section of cauda epididymis of a rat from group 3, showing gaps within the epithelial lining of the epididymal tubules (arrows) (H&E, 100×).

Figure 5

Photomicrograph of a section of the cauda epididymis of a rat from group 3, showing extravasated leucocytes within the lumen of some epididymal tubules (arrows) (H&E, 100×).